MARIJUANA DEBATED BY SPEAKERS

A "Heads vs. Feds" debate on the legalization of marijuana was held last
night in the University Union MPR. With approximately 300 SRU students
attending the debate, Steve Hager, editor in Chief of High Times Magazine,
and Robert Stutman, a former DEA officer, debated the topic of marijuana.

Hager began the debate by stating five main reasons he believes marijuana
should be legalized. Hager said he feels that marijuana is good medicine in
today's world. He stated he knows people that speak, walk and talk better
today because of this drug and feels this could be free medicine for people
for the rest of their lives.

Secondly, Hager pointed out that hemp is good for the environment. Hager
said if we began making paper from hemp that we stop cutting down trees. He
also stated that the chemicals in marijuana can also help the environment.

Next, he pointed out that the United States has the largest prison system
in the world.

"So many people are in jail today because of drugs, and since they've been
locked up in those cages they get out and end up being psychotic and
committing crimes," Hager said.

He also mentioned that America has the highest percent of their population
in jail compared to the rest of the world.

Hager continued by explaining that he believes that legalization of
marijuana would help reduce the funding of corrupt groups such as drug cartels.

"This is the cheapest and easiest commodity in the world," Hager said.

Hager concluded his opening arguments by explaining that his religious
customs encourage the use of marijuana. The illegalization of marijuana
therefore impedes on his religious rights.

Stutman argued back by pointing what he felt Hager left out in his opening
statement. Stutman said he feels that many people want marijuana legalized
because it is the recreational drug of choice and not because hemp is good
for our environment and it is the less expensive drug that people are
buying today. Stutman also used examples of religious ceremonies and
traditions such as polygamy that have been practiced in the past but are
illegal and frowned upon now.

"Just because you do something in the name of your religion, doesn't mean
it is good," Stutman said.

Lastly, Stutman spoke about the fact that if marijuana became legal we
would have more users, which would lead to more car accidents and diseases
such as lung, throat and mouth cancer.

Hager closed by saying he was not speaking to SRU students to tell them
that smoking was good.

"If you are smoking up before class you are not a part of the solution, you
are a part of the problem," Hager said.

He wants people to realize he does not abuse this drug and use it at
inappropriate times.

Stutman said he feels that if marijuana does become legal then it will be
for good reason. He believes in our government and if the majority of our
citizens are in favor of the drug than democracy will succeed, but he does
not see society agreeing to legalize the drug.

"If the laws are on your side argue the laws, if the facts are on your side
argue the facts, if neither are on your side, just kept arguing," Stutman said.